Chapter 79

Chapter 79

==================

*

Inside the villa.

Ye Chengxing noticed that Xi Yue and Fu Tao's expressions became complicated after she asked her question.

After a long pause, she heard Xi Yue say, "Actually, we don't know how to put it. She's become very famous, known by everyone, and seems to lack nothing. She's doing well, but at the same time, it doesn't feel quite right."

"Honestly, everyone was angry when they found out she locked you up. They couldn't understand why someone would do that to the person they love. But now, with so much time having passed, it's kind of bittersweet... Of course, we're just saying this. Whatever decision you make, Sister, we'll support you."

Ye Chengxing listened to their voices and lowered her gaze.

Upon hearing the words "locked up," images flashed through her mind, but they were fragmented and disconnected, leaving her memories blurry and chaotic. However, she could still sense something from these glimpses.

Ye Chengxing pursed her lips and looked back at Xi Yue. "Do you still have that address? Can you tell me?"

Xi Yue and Fu Tao hesitated upon hearing this.

Seeing their hesitation, Ye Chengxing assumed they no longer had the address or that it no longer existed due to the passage of time.

She paused for a moment before thinking to herself that it was normal; after all, five years had passed—five seasons of change—not just a brief span of days or months. It wouldn't be strange if things had changed.

With this in mind, she said, "If it's not the same place anymore or you've forgotten the address, it's okay. You don't have to tell me."

As she finished speaking, the expressions on the faces of the two women in front of her grew even more hesitant.

Xi Yue spoke with a conflicted tone, "We remember the address, and the place hasn't changed." They knew this much—that the place had remained unchanged for five years, as if deliberately isolated from the passage of time.

Hearing Xi Yue say this, Ye Chengxing's voice carried a hint of inquiry. "Does that mean Li Jia is still living there?"

She thought she hadn't told them about her lost memories, so they couldn't be withholding the address out of concern for her emotional state. Besides, given the time that had passed, according to Xi Yue, Li Jia should have moved out by now, considering her current status.

Fu Tao closed her eyes tightly. "She doesn't live there anymore, but if you go there, you might actually run into her..."

"Sister, do you want to see her? Maybe we should come with you. I know it sounds bad, but I still find her a bit scary," Xi Yue added, sounding worried.

Ye Chengxing responded instinctively, "She's not scary. Li Jia is actually quite cute."

Her sentence wasn't long, but as the words "quite cute" fell, the expressions of the two people across from her involuntarily twisted for a second.

Recalling the dangerous figure in their memories, they wondered where the cuteness was.

Perhaps Li Jia's cuteness was reserved solely for Ye Chengxing, as they hadn't felt any of it themselves. Instead, they had sensed plenty of fear.

Xi Yue and Fu Tao struggled to find words, eventually managing a dry laugh. "Maybe, perhaps, there's a tiny bit of cuteness."

Having said this subconsciously, Ye Chengxing was also taken aback.

When she spoke again, her voice was softer. "I haven't decided yet, but I can go alone."

Indeed, she hadn't made up her mind. Although she had come to this world because of Li Jia, after recalling some fragmented images from what Xi Yue and Fu Tao had said, she wasn't sure how to approach Li Jia now or what expression to wear.

Clearly, many things had happened between them, and their relationship had been much closer than she had initially imagined.

However, the main issue was that she hadn't fully regained her memories, only vague glimpses.

If they did meet...

It was probably overthinking, as it was unlikely they would cross paths, given how busy celebrities were.

Despite their concerns, Xi Yue and Fu Tao ultimately gave Ye Chengxing the address since she insisted.

At its core, this was between Ye Chengxing and Li Jia, and they wouldn't interfere or do anything else, no matter how curious they were.

As they had said earlier, they would support her decisions and help her without hesitation whenever she needed them.

Ye Chengxing saved the address on her phone and stored the contact information of each of them, whether present or not.

Regardless, the two people in front of her were genuinely worried about her.

She smiled gently at them. "I'm fine. I'll just take a look and leave. Don't worry about me."

Even though she believed she wouldn't run into Li Jia, Ye Chengxing waited until late at night to set out.

She looked at the address on her screen.

Xi Yue and Fu Tao had described the location in great detail, almost as if they were guiding her step-by-step.

Initially, Ye Chengxing thought the description was overly detailed, but once she got out of the car, she realized why it was necessary.

The route was indeed winding, and the last part led up a mountain. While cars could navigate it, neither the upper nor lower routes were as fast as walking.

Following Xi Yue and Fu Tao's instructions, Ye Chengxing walked for a while and could already see faint outlines in the distance.

The area was so remote that the villa, which could almost be described as an estate, stood out even more.

This only reinforced her belief that she wouldn't encounter Li Jia.

After all, it was so late, and there was no way Li Jia would be busy all day and then walk up here to leave the next morning. If she did that, she would likely just stay here permanently.

Since Li Jia didn't live there, Ye Chengxing was certain she wouldn't see her.

The real concern was what she would do if she did meet Li Jia. The situation might be awkward.

While she couldn't recall specific memories, Li Jia remembered everything.

She wasn't sure how Li Jia felt about her now.

If Li Jia still cared for her, her memory loss would be heartbreaking.

And at the thought of heartache, an image abruptly surfaced in her mind—that of a girl in a wedding dress holding white roses.

...She didn't want to hurt her anymore.

She couldn't help but wonder why she only had vague memories left. 999 mentioned that someone had gone through the system's wish contract, making her forget this particular memory. Although she hadn't completely forgotten it, it didn't stop her from wanting to find the person who made her forget and make them pay.

With these thoughts, Ye Chengxing couldn't help but sigh.

Regardless, the fact remained that her memories were hazy.

There was also the possibility that Li Jia had been trying to let go and move on over the past five years. After all, the girl in her dreams was only eighteen, but now she was twenty-three.

Time could change so much. Even the most intense emotions might fade with its passage, gradually disappearing into nothingness.

With these chaotic thoughts swirling in her head, Ye Chengxing approached the villa.

Her body wasn't uncomfortable, but her heart felt a bit heavy due to the various thoughts that had plagued her during the journey.

If they really met, should she start with "long time no see" and then ask about recent events?

...Yes, she should try to be as natural as possible.

Ye Chengxing finally arrived at the villa.

As she walked here, more fragmented images flashed through her mind.

But before she could grasp these fleeting glimpses, she lifted her eyes and saw a figure standing by the entrance not far away.

The lights at the front of the villa were on, and the person stood there without entering.

She lit a cigarette, not shielding the flame from the wind, allowing it to flicker freely.

The smoke quickly dissipated in the breeze, the ember flickering on and off, casting a distinct glow on the teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of her eye. She seemed indistinguishable from the smoke, as if she too would soon dissipate.

At this moment, Ye Chengxing suddenly understood what Xi Yue meant when she said, "She's doing well, but something feels off."

Alive, yet almost as good as dead.

She was slightly taller than before, but still slender and fragile.

Like ice frozen over, everything—including herself—was sealed beneath it.

Ye Chengxing didn't know how long she had been standing there or when she planned to leave. It seemed as though she intended to stand there under the night sky until dawn.

Her heart nearly stopped.

When she came to, Ye Chengxing found herself just a step away from Li Jia.

How did Li Jia survive these five years?

Ye Chengxing suddenly felt short of breath.

However, before she could speak, the figure sensed something and turned around first.

In that instant, she extinguished the cigarette in her hand.

Unlike her actions, her expression was calm, as if Ye Chengxing's appearance or return was commonplace and wouldn't cause any change in her demeanor.

"This illusion is surprisingly real..."

Ye Chengxing heard Li Jia mutter something softly, but the words were too quiet for her to catch.

She watched the red ember extinguish between her pale fingers, forgetting everything she had planned to say. Instead, she instinctively took a quick step forward, grasped her hand, and looked down to check it, her tone filled with concern: "Jia, does it hurt?"

Stars twinkled in the distance, and the wind gently brushed against their hair.

The woman in front of her paused for two seconds upon hearing her words, then suddenly curved her lips upward.

"...Yeah, it hurts."

--------------------

.